Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency Wednesday in response to severe flooding affecting several counties and keeping more than 75,000 people on evacuation alert following heavy rainfall that has left large accumulations of water.
An atmospheric river has lashed the state since last Monday leaving several inches of rain and threatening severe flooding to communities near rivers.
Evacuation alert in Washington due to flooding
Here’s what Tumwater Falls looks like today.
There’s flood warnings and watches all over the state with 26 rivers at risk of flooding. Make sure you’re following weather alerts near you. Put your ZIP code in at https://t.co/Kwggsxa5O9 to find the latest.#wawx pic.twitter.com/4B7shbWWF8
– WA Emergency Management (@waEMD) December 10, 2025
More rainfall is expected in the next few days and the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast 15 to 20 centimeters of rain from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon in far western communities, which has complicated the emergency.
The amount of rainfall expected at higher elevations in the state bordering Canada could exceed 20 centimeters, increasing the risk.
“There will be lives at stake in the coming days,” Ferguson told a news conference.
The governor emphasized the gravity of the situation and said he will request an expedited emergency declaration from President Donald Trump’s administration in order to access resources and respond to the emergency.
“I want to encourage all Washingtonians to pay close attention to alerts from their counties and emergency management departments. If you receive an evacuation order, please follow it,” the governor insisted.
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Most rivers from the Canadian border to southwest Washington are in flood stage.
Several are expected to break water records such as the Skagit River, which could exceed the 1990 flood when its flow rose 1.2 meters.
Some 75,000 people are at risk of flooding in Skagit County, so authorities are maintaining a possible evacuation alert.
The Washington State National Guard has been activated as well as the Army Corps of Engineers to assist in evacuations following flooding in rural areas.
With information from EFE
